Ball detent coupling device with ring shaped friction means



C- MEWSE BALL DETENT COUPLING DEVICE WITH RING SHAPED FRICTION MEANS Feb. 23, 1965 Original Fiied Aug. 3, 1959 tween the' operating'member and the-tube.

According to another feature of the invention a quick release'fastenerof the kind referred to above is pro- United States PatentO ce This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 831,388, filed August 3, 1959, now Patent No. 3,068,737. q

This invention relates to quick release fasteners of the kind commonly used for connecting sheets or other articles having registering apertures, comprising a radially apertured tubular'member, a locking elements(s) accommodated in the radial aperture(s) and an operating member formed with cam-like part(s) within the tubular released position. The fastener may be pushed through registering apertures in the articles to be fastened to:

V gether, or be withdrawn from the articles when the cam groove onlthe operating member is in alignment with the radial apertures in the tubular member.

tener comprisesiia radially apertured tube, at least one locking-member movable ina radial aperture, an operating member which is deformed transversely of its body and is movable within the tube to cause the locking mm:

member to move the locking elements'into looking or I According to the invention such a quick release fas- I her to protrude outwardly from or to allow it to recede r inwardly into the tube, and means introducing frictio vided with a friction element restraining the movement of .the operating member relative to the radially aper tured tube.

According to another feature of'the'invention a quick release fastener comprises a headed tube carrying at least one radially movable locking member and an opcrating member slideably mounted within said tube and being operable to move said locking memberts) into and out of the locking position, the operating member carrying a friction-element engaging the inner surface of the tube and restraining the operating member against lease position. a r 1 7 According to a further feature of theinvention the movementand holding it frictionally in the lockingor' rehead of the tube, in which the operating member is mov- I able axially, is'forrned withgan internal annular groove into which the friction element expandsin the manner of a latch when the operating member is moved into the locking, position. e An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference'to the accom-.

partying drawingsxi'n' which: v

FIG. 1 is a view insectional elevation of. the invention showing'the fastener in released position, and

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing" the fastener in 'locked'position. l 1

The fastener illustrated in the drawing comprises opposite end. The tubular member 1 is formed with 3. Housed within the bore 4 is an operating member 3,170,362 Patented Feb. 23, 1965 and a cam groove 8 near its opposite end. The head 7 of the operating member 6 is formed intermediate its length with a circumferential groove 7a. The cam groove 8 co-operates with locking elements such as balls 9 which are movable in radial passages 3. When the cam groove 8 is in register withthe radial 'passages3 the balls 9 are allowed to recede within the tubular member 1, but on movement of the operating member 6"the cam groove 8 causes the balls to protrudeaoutwardly from the external surfaceof the tubularv member 1, from where the balls 9 cannot escape as the radial passages 3 have re duced diameter at the surface of the tubular member 1. The operating member 6-has an enlarged portion within the enlarged bore of head2 andincludin'g two annular flanges 10 which are spaced from each other at a distance sufiicient for accommodation of a friction element 11 between them. The friction element 11 is of annular or ring-like shape, the peripheral surface of which engages frictionally the inner surface of the enlarged head 2. The inner surface of the head 2 is formed with an annular groove 12. The location of this groove 12 within the head 2 is determined by the length of the stroke of the friction element 11 within the head 2 of the tubular member 1, which coincides with the movement of the op; erating member 6 from release into 'locking position.

When the friction element 11 reaches the groove 12 at t the end ofiits stroke it expands intothe groove 12 (see' FIG. 2). An apertured disc 13 is secured on the outer end of the head 2 preventing the withdrawal of the. op-

erating member 6 and of the frictionelement 11 carried a I thereby from the tubular member 1; the disc 13' serves alsoas a dust cover. A ring 14 is ,afiixed'to the knob 7 the purpose 'ofwhich will become clearer as the description proceeds.

may be' a plate or the like, the knob 7 of the operating member 6 together with the frictional element 11 is then 7 the operating'member 11 is brought into the locking posiof the operating member 6 (see FIG. 2).

tion thus providing lodgment against accidental unlocking V the circumferential groove 7a on the plunger is flush with the disc 13;thus indicating to the operator that the fastener i is in the locked position.

a central bore 4"which is enlarged at 5 within the head I 2. The bore 4 communicates with the radial passages in theform of a pin 6,.slideab1y arrangedtherein. The

operating member 6 has ahead or knob Tatitsouter end For releasing the operating member 6 a straight pull is applied to the ring 14 which causes the frictionelement 11 to disengage from the groove 12to move to the position shown in 'FIG. 1 in which thecam groove 8 on the nular recess formed in ithe inside of: said enlarged bore adjacent the junction of said tube and head;

a cover piece closing the outer end of saidenlarged bore and having an aperture formed at the center a locking member movable in said radial aperture; i

an operating member axially slidablysupported within said tubefor movement between a locking position and a release position;

In this position H cam means on said operating member operative to cause" said locking member to protrude outwardly from said radial aperture upon said movement of said operating member to said locking position within said tube, and to allow said locking member to recede inwardly into the tube upon movement of said operating member to said release position, said operating member having anintermediate portion located in and positioned for movement 'within said enlarged bore of said head and a head portion passing through said aperture of said cover piece to form an operating knob by which said operating member may be moved between said locking position and said release position, said intermediate portion having spaced apart radially extending annular flanges defining an annular groove therebetween;

and friction means for resisting movement of said oper- 4 7 said head, said resilient member exerting an outward pressure against the inner surface of said bore and receivable in said annular recess to retain said operating member against movement at least when it is in said locking position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/46 Spooner. 12/62 Depew.

FOREIGN PATENTS 747,277 1/ 45 Germany. 555,374 8/43 Great Britain. 402,225 2/43 Italy.

EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Exan zinel'.

M. HENSON' WOOD, JR., Examiner.

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